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Specific variations, as the name indicates, are limited in scope and do not affect the form as a whole. Their scope ranges from a single maneuver up to an entire self-defense technique (or isolation). Specific variations are typically destructive, but may sometimes be non-destructive.

 

A prime example of a specific variation is the "short man" variation (aka the Palanzo variation). This specific variation arises within the technique Falling Falcon (#3-#5) where a drag up (#3b) was added just prior to the upward knee (#4) / downward heel kick (step 5). The reason it was added was as a signature to the Joe Palanzo lineage by SGM Parker. By adding this change Mr. Parker would be able to definitively determine if an individual learned Form Five from Joe Palanzo or not.

 

This specific change is non-destructive and it has the rationale of being used as a variation for shorter people; if someone outside that lineage asked about it.

 

The reason why this specific variation was chosen to be highlighted is because it was done with knowledge; not by mistake. It demonstrates that a variation can be smartly added into a form by someone with the proper knowledge to do so - without negatively impacting the intended information of the form. Plus, it also shows how specific signatures were, at rare times, purposely added to the forms as a type of quality control by SGM Parker.

 

It is just not possible to detail very single real or potential variation that have occurred and continue to occur with the passage of time. But what follows is a list of the common specific variations and their impact on Form Five.